Expected, considering the wild-eyed commotion generated by the Spurs' whirlwind offseason. Odd, considering Mason, 29, is coming off a career season in which he started 71 games, set personal bests for scoring (11.8 points per game) and 3-point accuracy (42.1 percent) and provided a Kobe-esque highlight reel of late-game heroics.

Unimportant, if you ask Mason.

"I feel good about it," Mason said of his place in the Spurs' plans. "Last year was like my second year really playing a lot. I feel like I've improved."

So have the Spurs, of course, with upgrades almost across the board and a limited number of minutes to spread around.

Like Mason, two other members of last season's most-used starting lineup - Matt Bonner and Michael Finley - must also wrangle for their place in the Spurs' new world order. That feeling-out process continues with tonight's preseason visit from the Los Angeles Clippers.

Bonner, 29, started 67 games at center last season and shot a team-best 44 percent from 3-point range, a figure that ranked eighth in the NBA.

His reward? The Spurs brought in two veteran big men (McDyess and Theo Ratliff) via free agency, and selected another (Blair) in the June draft.

"My theory to keeping some sanity in this business is not to worry about things I can't control," said Bonner, who averaged 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in 23.8 minutes, all personal bests. "The front office did some things to help our team. In the end, it's about winning."

McDyess and Ratliff are considered defensive upgrades over Bonner, while Blair has won over fans with what has been a monster preseason so far.

Bonner, however, possesses something the other Spurs big men do not - a 3-point shot accurate enough to spread the floor for Tim Duncan.

"Last year was a tremendous opportunity for me, to play consistent minutes and get a lot of experience," Bonner said. "I'm just trying to build off that."

Though some fans and media might have forgotten about Mason and Bonner, their head coach has not.

"They're both going to be a big part of what we do this year," Gregg Popovich said.

So, apparently, is Finley, the other leg of the Spurs' forgotten threesome.

The June trade that sent Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas to Milwaukee in exchange for Jefferson did more than turn the 36-year-old Finley into the Spurs' eldest statesman. In all likelihood, it nudged him to the bench.

Still, Popovich has a place for the 14-year veteran, who shot a career-best 41.1 percent from 3-point range last season, while starting 71 games.

"He's a guy that spaces the floor and shoots the basketball," Popovich said. "I'm not going to change that role."

Mason's minutes are less likely to be affected by the arrival of new players than by the return of an old one.

With Manu Ginobili finally healthy and George Hill entrenched as the backup point guard, Mason could see a decline in his minutes. Undeterred, he hit the gym this offseason, dropping pounds, adding strength and working on his dribble-drive game.

"I really want to see how my hard work this summer translates on the court," Mason said.

The goal for Mason is the same for Bonner and Finley - to not be forgotten.